Brace or like article



March 1942- H. J. BAYON 2,274,652

BRAGE 0R LIKE ARTICLE Filed Aug. 12, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. flsnr c/Ppk Zia 017/ I ATTRNEY.

March 3, 1942. BAYON 2,274,652

BRACE OR LIKE ARTICLE Filed Aug. 12, 1939 r 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVESTOR.

c/ ose ofi fiay'aro March 3, 1942. H. J. BAYON 2,274,652'

B RACE 0R LIKE ARTICLE Fiied Aug. 12, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENTOR. Hm Jase 21v Bazy-m WMW ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 3, 1942 BRACE on LIKE ARTICLE Henri Joseph Bayou, Angers, France Application August 12, 1939, Serial No. 289,751 In France August 13, 1938 12 Claims. (Cl. 241-12) The present invention relates to certain new and useful suspenders, braces and like supporting devices, comprising a plurality of inter-com nected branches, and wherein the members 0011- stituting the device and the various branches thereof are essentially tension members formed continuously with each other.

One of the objects of the present invention is to form suspenders, braces or like supporting devices comprising two or more branches in such a way as to entirely eliminate, or to eliminate to a large extent, metallic iastenings or fittings or connectors at the points where the branches meet and from which they diverge, and so as also to form a direct continuity of tension-bearing strands from branch to branch.

With the above and other objects :in view which will appear more fully from the following description and accompanying drawings, one phase of the present invention consists of a suspender, brace or like supporting device having at least two intersecting or connected branches each branch comprising two or more strips constituting tension members secured together, edge to edge, throughout the major portion of their of suspenders or braces, showing another emlength, said branches being directly connected to each other in the zones of intersection through said tension members. The present invention further consists of many other phases and features and principles and details of construction all of which will appear more fully from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there are shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred,

since the same have been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the vanous instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and. that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

In the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts,

Figure 1 represents a perspective View of a pair of suspenders or braces embodying one form of the present invention.

Figure 2 represents a, perspective view, on a much enlarged scale, of a piece of flat tape-like strip of which the brace members may be formed.

Figure 3 represents a fragmentary perspective bodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 represents a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 represents a perspective view of the rear intersecting portion of the form of construction shown in Figure 4 on a somewhat enlarged scale.

Figure 6 represents a section on line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure '7 represents a section on line 'l-'l of Figure 4, on a somewhat enlarged scale, with the lower portion shown in perspective.

Figure 8 represents a perspective view of the rear intersecting portion of another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 represents a perspective view of'the rear intersecting portion of a still further modified embodiment or extension of the present invention.

, Figure 10 represents a perspective view of another embodiment or extension of the present invention. a

In forming the braces or suspenders oi the present invention, a flat tape-like strip A, like that illustrated in Figure 2 may be employed, formed of a plurality of parallel and generally coplanar longitudinal tension strands l0 interconnected by one or more braided textile strands ll of cotton, silk, rayon or the like, extending across and interlaced with longitudinal tension strands It on a suitable bias. The tension strands H] are preferably single extruded or .cut rubber strands suitably vulcanized, which may also be covered with a textile strand l2 wrapped around in a generally spiral fashion so as not to restrain its extension or stretching.

The rubber or other elastic longitudinal tension strands I0 are spaced from each other a sufiicient distance so as to permit the generally zig-zag connecting stitches [3 or rather the anchoring portions 14 thereof to extend through the strips, intermediate the two elastic strands, andwithout penetrating or in any way marring the rubber strands.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, two parallel strips I5 and N5 of the flat tape-like formation A (Figure 1) are united by zigzag stitches l3, with the stitches sufficiently close so as to permit the expansion of the strips in unison without offering undue resistance to such expansion.

The parallel strips 15 and it are united over their entire extent to form the branches I! and view showing the rear or back intersecting part 55 i8 constituting generally the front portions of the suspenders or braces and which also extend over the shoulder in the zone indicated generally by the numerals l9 and 20. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the strip l5 extends across the juncture crossing designated generally by the numeral 2|, while the strip l6 extends downwardly and is folded back upon itself and united with itself to form the rear branches 22 and 23 which are similarly formed by the union of the doubled portions of the strip I6 by zig-zag stitches l3. The cross-over portions 24 and 25 of the strips l5 and I6, respectively, are likewise united edge to edge by zig-zag stitches I3 generally in the zone 25. By this means the tension from the branches I1 and I8 is transmitted to the branches 22 and 23 not only through the strip l6 which extends from branch H to branch 22 and also extends from branch I 8 to branch 23, but also through the strip l5 which extends only from the branch H to the branch I8 and from the branch 22 to the branch 23 through the juncture or crossing 2|.

The ends of the branches I1 and |8 are extended through the eyelet 21 of the metallic adjustment clasp 29 and anchored thereto by sewn stitches 30 or by any other suitable means, and are then doubled back upon themselves through the loops 3| of the metallic fitting 32.

The metallic clasp or retainer 29 is formed of the two pivotally-related members 33 and 34, the member 34 having the two more or less right angular portions including the portion 21 and the detent portion 35, while the member 33 includes the side flanges 36 in which the pivot trunnions 31 of the member 34 are journalled and the front plate 38 against which the detent 35 is adapted to grip the branches l1 and H! for adjusting the length thereof.

If desired, a generally flat metallic ring-like loop or retainer member 39 may be loosely placed over the branches l1 and H3 in the zone of the doubled-back adjustment portions 40 thereof, so as to tend to prevent the bulging at the zone of the folding.

The metallic fittings 32 comprise two loops, one being the loop 3| hereinabove referred to, and the other being a loop 4| through which the two front anchorage branches 42 and 43 may be laced in the manner indicated in the drawings, namely, folded over upon themselves. The front anchorage branches 42 and 43 are formed of a single fiat strip 44 similar to the strip A indicated in Figures 2 and 3 but somewhat narrower, so that the doubled width thereof will be less than the doubled width of the strips l5 and IS in the main branches l1 and 8 and the rear anchorage branches 22 and 23. The strip 44 is doubled back upon itself and sewn edge to edge by the same zig-zag stitches |3 throughout substantially its entire length except at the anchorage terminals of the branches, where it is left unattached to form the anchorage loops or button-engaging loops 45. The rear anchorage branches 22 and 23 are likewise left with terminal loops 46 for engaging the rear buttons in the waistband of the trousers.

At the upper ends 41 of the loop openings 45 and 45, a series of sewn stitches are extended across as indicateckat 41, more firmly to unite the two strips of w ich the loop is formed, so as to prevent the separation of the strips or the unraveling of the zig-zag stitches by which the stitches are united edge to edge. Phe reinforcements 41 are formed by a multiplicity of stitches extended across the same spot or zone.

The ends of the strip 44 are preferably located in the knot-like formation 49 so as to be concealed thereby. Thus, the ends may be so arranged as to come in the branch 43 directly behind its uppermost part where it is overlapped by the branch 42 (Figure 1).

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4, the rear juncture or crossing 2| is formed by crossing one of the strips, as for instance, the inner strip IS in the manner indicated generally in Figure 4.

'In Figure 5, a further modified form of the present invention is shown in which the rear juncture or crossing between the right and left sides of the suspender or garter is similar to that shown in Figure 1, but the cross-over zones 24 and 25 of the strips |5 and I5 respectively are formed by folding said strips back upon themselves in a sharp fold transversely inclined to the strip and interposing a close and generally oblong metallic ring 50 between the respective folds of the strips l5 and Hi, as indicated particularly in Figures 5, 6 and 7. By this means, a juncture 2| may be formed which is generally devoid of openings such as the openings 5| in the form of construction illustrated in Figure 1.

In the modification illustrated in Figure 8, the juncture or cross-over 2| is formed by crossing both strips I5 and IS in the manner indicated in the figure of the drawing.

In the modification shown in Figure 9, the juncture is obtained without any cross-over of either the strips I5 and 6, but merely by the edge to edge sewing of portions of the strip |5 over a suitable zone as indicated at 5|.

The embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 10 shows a further extension of the present invention, wherein the entire suspender or brace, including the front anchorage branches 42 and 43 as well as the rear anchorage branches 22 and 23, may be formed of one or more continuous strips 53, which are arranged and united edge to edge, but with four parallel portions in the main branches l1 and I8 and with only two portions in the front anchorage branches 42 and 43. In this manner, the entire brace or suspender including the front anchorage branches or extensions 42 and 43 may be made of the same strip or strips without any intervening metallic connector such as the metallic fitting 32. In this form of construction, the branching points or zones 54 intermediate the narrowed anchorage extensions 42 and 43 of the main branches l1 and I8 may be formed in any one of the several ways shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9;

only one of these being illustrated in Figure 10, however.

Instead of the tension strands l0 being elastic, as for instance rubber or synthetic rubber, they may be of a non-elastic material, such as cord or yarn or the like. Thus, non-elastic strips may be used for the front anchorage branches 42 and 43 in the forms of construction shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, 8 and 9, while the main branches l1 and I8 of the rear anchorage extensions or branches 22 and 23 thereof are formed of elastic. strips. Likewise, the main branches l1 and I8 of the rear extensions 22 and 23 may be formed of non-elastic strips, while the front anchorage branches 42 and 43 may be formed of elastic strips.

If desired, various color combinations may be obtained in the braces or suspenders of the present invention by providing strips I5 and IS in two different colors. In the forms of construction shown in Figures 1 and 3, this would produce a color contrast in the main branches I1 and I8 While producing a single color in the single anchorage 22 and 23, with the same color being on opposite sides of the two branches l1 and I8, that is, on the outside and inside. In the forms of construction illustrated in Figure 4, the same color will appear on the same side of the main branches IT and IS; the anchorage members 22 and 23 being of a single color but with the two branches being of difierent color.

Having thus described the invention, what is hereby claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A brace, suspender or the like having at least two branches, each formed of a generally flatstrip composed of a plurality of parallel and generally coplanar longitudinal elastic strands and transverse textile strands uniting them, said branches including two portions of such strip united edge to edge substantially throughout their common extent by sewn stitches, said stitches permitting the elastic extension of said strips and forming the two portions of said strips into one generally fiat band of a combined width of the individual strips throughout the major portion thereof.

2. A brace, suspender or the like having two main shoulder-straddling branches each formed of generally fiat elastic strips sewn edge to edge throughout the major portion thereof to form a band of combined width of the strips, said stitches permitting the elastic expansion of said strips.

3. A brace, suspender or the like comprising left and right main branches adapted to extend over the shoulder of the wearer and left and right rear anchorage branches formed of relatively fiat elastic strips sewn edge to edge to form bands of combined width of the sewn strips, a pair of metallic connector members, the front ends of said left and right main branches being laced through said metallic connector members and being folded back upon themselves and attached to metallic adjustment'clasps engaging the overlapped portions thereof, and a divergent pair of front anchorage members looped through each of said connector members, each of said pair of front anchorage members being formed of a relatively flat strip folded back upon itself to form looped ends and sewn edge to edge throughout the balance of its extent to form bands of combined width of the sewn portions of the strip.

4. A brace, suspender or the like including left and right main branches adapted to extend over the shoulder of the wearer, a pair of rear divergent anchorage members, pairs of left and right divergent front anchorage members, each of said members being formed of at least two parallel portions of generally fiat elastic strips composed of a plurality of generally coplanar longitudinal elastic tension members and transverse textile members interlaced therewith, said parallel portions of such strips constituting each of said members being sewn together edge to edge throughout their common extent except at the anchorage terminals of said anchorage members; each of said anchorage members terminating in a free button-receiving loop formed by a free fold in said strip.

5. A brace, suspender or the like including left and right main branches adapted to extend over the shoulder of the wearer, a pair of rear divergent anchorage members, pairs of left and right divergent front anchorage members, each of said branches and anchorage members being formed of at least two parallel portions of generally fiat elastic strips composed of a plurality of generally coplanar longitudinal elastic tension members and transverse textile members interlaced therewith, said parallel portions of such strips constituting each of said branches and anchorage members being sewn together edge to edge throughout their common extent except at the anchorage terminals of said anchorage members; each of said anchorage members terminating in a free button-receiving loop formed by a free fold in said strip; said sets of elastic tension strands constituting the strips of the main left and right branches extending over the shoulder portions of said main branches and through at least two button-receiving anchorage loops without interruption.

6; A brace, suspender or the like including left and right main branches adapted to extend over the shoulder of the wearer, a pair of rear divergent anchorage members, pairs of left and right divergent front anchorage members, each of said branches and anchorage members being formed of at least two parallel portions of generally flat elastic strips composed of a plurality of generally coplanar longitudinal elastic tension members and transverse textile members interlaced therewith, said parallel portions of such strips constituting each of said branches and anchorage members being sewn together edge to edge throughout their common extent except at the anchorage terminals of said anchorage members; each of said anchorage members terminating in a free button-receiving p formed by a free fold in said strip; elastic tension strands of strips constituting the main right and left branches extending through the shoulder portions of said main branches and through each of the button-receiving loops of the anchorage members generally without interruption between main members and anchorage members; 7

7. A brace, suspender or the like including left and right main members adapted to extend over the shoulder of the wearer and formed throughout of generally flat parallel elastic strip-s sewn edge to 'edge and rear anchorage members formed throughout of generally flat parallel elastic strips sewn edge to edge, and having terminal buttonreceiving loops formed by a free fold in said strips, said main members and said anchorage members having a common rear juncture from which they extend in a generally divergent manner, both of said rear anchorage members being formed of the same strip, the inner portion of which is folded back upon itself along an incline-d fold-line in said juncture, and the inner strip forming the main branches being likewise folded back upon itself along an inclined foldline in said juncture, and a generally flat oblong ring connecting said two folds.

8. A brace, suspender or the like including button-receiving anchorage branches for attachment to the trouser to be supported, said branches being formed of generally flat parallel elastic strips turned back upon themselves to form looped terminal ends for receiving buttons and sewn edge to edge over their entire extent beyond said looped ends to form flat bands of a combined width of said elastic strips; said elastic strips extending continuously through said loops.

9. A brace, suspender or the like having left and right main shoulder-straddling branches elastic strips sewn edge to edge throughout the major portion thereof, said branches converging at a rear juncture zone, a strip of the left branch and a strip of the right branch being sewn together at the rear juncture zone and. then crossed, and a pair of rear anchorage branches diverging from said rear juncture zone, each of said rear anchorage branches being formed by the continuation of a strip from one of said branches, and the crossed strip coming from the other of said main branches, sewed edge to edge throughout the major portion of said anchorage branch.

10. A brace, suspender or the like having left and right main shoulder-straddling branches each formed of at least two generallyflat parallel elastic strips sewn edge to edg throughout the major portion thereof, said branches converging at a rear juncture zone, and a pair of rear anchorage branches diverging from said rear juncture zone, each of said rear anchorage branches being formed by the continuation of an elastic strip from said left main branch, and an elastic strip from said right main branch, sewed edge to edge throughout the major portion of said anchorage branch.

each formed of at least two generally fiat parallel- 11. In a brace, suspender or the like having left and right main shoulder-straddling branches each bearing a metallic connector loop at its front end, front anchorage members threaded through said connector loops, said anchorage members each being formed from a single relatively fiat elastic strip folded back upon itself at opposite end portions of said anchorage member to form opposite looped terminal ends for receiving anchorage buttons, the extreme ends of the folded-back portions of said elastic strip being sewn together, and the folded-back portions being sewn edge-wise to the remaining portion of the strip intermediate said looped ends to form a flat band of a combined width double that of said strip.

12. In a brace, suspender or the like having a branch bearing a metallic connector loop'at its end portion, a longitudinally-elastic anchorage member having its central portion extending through said loop, around said loop, and then back through said loop, the end portions of said anchorage member diverging from said connector loop and bearing terminal button-engaging means adapted for engagement with anchorage buttons on a trouser.

HENRI JOSEPH BAYON. 

